Irish Arts Center
@IrishArtsCenter
Followers
20K
Following
9K
Media
5K
Statuses
23K
“New York’s Irish Arts Center upgrades to a flagship hub...a home as big as its aspirations”—The New York Times #newIAC
726 11th Ave / Hell's Kitchen
Joined January 2009
We share with sadness the news that Sinead O'Connor has passed. Words cannot capture what a strong, creative, and inspiring person she was. We send love to her family and friends at this difficult time.
2
24
339
In the story of Melkorka, an Irish princess enslaved in Iceland, she refuses to speak to her captors but ends her silence when son Olaf is born, encouraging him to journey widely & break free from his father. Our #IrishWordoftheWeek is cumhal, meaning "woman slave." @theirishfor
6
58
293
Unanglicized Irish names like Caoimhe (pronounced kwee-va or kee-va) ascended in prominence over the past quarter century or so, along with the resurgence of pride in the Irish language and culture #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
2
29
187
Ex. the battle scenes of Táin Bó Cúailnge have skies filled w demons—bánanach (white ones), bocanach (goat-like), ginid glinne (of the glens) & deamhan aeir (of the air)—whose motive isn't to take fallen warriors to glory, but to delight in conflict itself
3
42
157
Cú Chulainn wants to win the hand of Emer, but her father insists he first become a warrior. He achieves this goal by traveling the distance to Scotland's Isle of Skye, where he studies under the legendary warrior woman Scáthach. #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
4
33
131
Súmaireacht, the verb for "sucking" (tantalizingly close spelling to súmhaireacht, which means "juiciness" or "succulence"), is the root of súmaire, which describes a leech—but also a bloodsucking monster. And although in Irish mythology. #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
1
36
116
We're thrilled to announce three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep as the 2024 #SpiritOfIrelandGala honoree 🥂. Join us Nov 15 at Pier Sixty for our 25th annual gala supporting accessible, multidisciplinary artistic programming & community education:
1
19
122
In the Irish epic the Táin, Cúchulainn entered warp spasms—ríastrad—in battle, making "a terrible, many-shaped, wonderful, unheard of thing of himself.” His hair became spikes, jaw extended and limbs contorted until he was a fierce creature @theirishfor
5
38
121
Performances by Kirsten Vangsness, Malachy McCourt, Sam Underwood, Valorie Curry, Dana Lyn, Kyle Sanna, Carrie Erving, Ivan Goff, Jennifer Ikeda, Peter Halpin, Mia Dillon, & more: The 37th annual #BloomsdayonBroadway is Sat, June 16 @SymphonySpace
1
12
112
3
39
110
A "flagship hub to celebrate and promote Irish culture in a way that is commensurate with its impact"—@ajconnolly. After a journey of more than a decade, today we announce the opening of the New Irish Arts Center. #NewIAC #WelcomeHome
2
28
100
We gathered tonight for the unveiling of the artist @colin_davidson's portrait of Senator George Mitchell, a key architect of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, in celebration of its 25th anniversary year and the U.S. premiere of Davidson's exhibition #SilentTestimony.
2
15
92
(1/6) We raised $3.25 million & honored three-time Oscar-winner & 21-time nom Meryl Streep at Fri's #SpiritOfIrelandGala. Streep was celebrated for her artistry & cultural influence as we gathered support for our own contributions to the NY & American cultural landscapes.
1
10
96
Inspired by this era of connectivity, an #IrishWordoftheWeek with parallels to a similar word in another language, courtesy of @theirishfor. Not saying this proves the words share an etymological root—just that they bumped into each other & smiled. More at
0
18
88
If you don't know about the Choctaw Nation's extraordinary act of generosity to Ireland during the Famine, here's a bit of that history, along w the story of one of the Nation's cultural ambassadors who's worked to deepen the friendship btw the communities
1
33
83
In 1959, a major dictionary introduced letters like v & x into the Irish language for the first time, helping generate alt spellings of traditional names, like Maeve for Medhbh. Either way, it's pronounced "mave" & means "she who intoxicates" @theirishfor
1
22
86
Once upon a time, Ireland was covered in oak trees, as evidenced by the oak-based place names found throughout: Cill Dara/Kildare (east), Doire/Derry (north), Baile an Doire/Ballinderry (west), Áth Dara/Adare (south) & Darú/Durrow (center). Oak (dair) = "D" in the ogham alphabet
3
15
82
The name Oisín, meaning fawn, may be well known bc of the legend of Tír na nÓg, in which Oisín, a human, meets a princess from the land of eternal youth. She invites him to join her there, but if he goes—he can't come back #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
4
19
81
The spéirbhean in “Ceo Draíochta” is described as síorshileadh (ever-weeping) & righinrosc (languid-eyed), and laments the predicament in which Ireland finds itself post-Cromwell invasion. The poem ends w/ a plea for—or prediction of—regime change #irishwordoftheweek @theirishfor
2
18
84
"Share a positive image of Ireland this #StPatricksDay. Join our campaign to #GetLit with #IACBookDay."--Liam Neeson . To sign up, and for more info:
1
50
77
Tonight’s 25th annual #SpiritofIrelandGala honored Meryl Streep and Board Chair Shaun Kelly, and celebrated three years in the new IAC, during which we have presented more than 600 artists to more than 50,000 audiences. We thank all our supporters—we couldn’t do this without you.
0
16
82
If we’ve learned anything from the last decade of #MuldoonsPicnic, it’s that you never know what surprises await at this literary and musical extravaganza.
4
13
71
The best-known genre of Irish poetry is the aisling: a vision within a dream, in which the narrator falls asleep and a beautiful woman—a spéirbhean, “sky woman” or “woman of the heavens”—appears to them. Pronunciation: spare-van . @theirishfor
3
15
73
Irish Language Day 2021 feat. free workshops, films and conversations w a fantastic assembly of Gaeilgeoirí and artists: @unakavanagh, the Irish Times' @ManchanMagan, RTÉ/TG4's Seán Mac an tSíthigh, @livingtongues, and more. Sun, Apr 18. Register to join:
2
25
72
"The new Irish Arts Center is a dream realized and a tribute to the broad coalition of people in New York and Ireland who have brought it to life, at a time when we so eagerly need a place to come together with inspiration and hope."
7
17
71
Rest in peace Mick Moloney, friend, colleague, and mentor. There are no words sufficient to capture the totality of your impact, though in days ahead we’ll try. But for now, as we absorb your enormous, incalculable loss, just these: Thank you, Mick. (Photo by Erin Baiano.)
0
14
73
Senator George Mitchell, with the cast and crew of Agreement at the close of tonight’s opening of #Agreement, sharing his experience and admiration “for the men and woman who reached that agreement…they were ordinary human beings”, inspiring hope for all in attendance.
2
15
74
Maurice Fitzpatrick's new film tells the story of Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume's work w the White House & Congress to bring peace to Northern Ireland. JOHN HUME IN AMERICA, narrated by Liam Neeson w intro by Bill Clinton, airs on PBS @worldchannel St. Patrick's Day, 7pm ET.
1
24
67
The #GoodVibrations team had a very special guest in the house last night. Thank you, Liam Neeson, for coming out to see this show and for supporting this amazing cast and crew 🤍
1
10
70
A world-renowned newsman and a cherished voice of Irish America—thank you, Pete Hamill, for telling our New York stories. Our sincere condolences to Fukiko and your loving family. Rest in peace.
0
16
62
The mythical banshee, from the Irish "bean sí" ("woman of the mounds"), is named after the hills of the countryside in which she's said to reside. She wails in mourning for the dead, & also appears, as an omen, before the dying @fadilah_salawu @theirishfor
1
16
63
Swans, like butterflies, often represent dramatic transformation, as their recurrence in folklore reflects. The best known Irish tale w this motif is the "Children of Lir," in which King Lir's jealous new wife wants her stepkids out of the way @theirishfor
1
18
59
Scots Gaelic is the closest language to Irish, with thousands of shared or mutually intelligible words. But there are little differences, the most obvious being the fadas: Irish ones rise to the 👉, Scots Gaelic to the 👈 @theirishfor #IrishWordoftheWeek
1
13
65
In Irish myth, the giant Balor has a drochshúil—evil eye—that fires poisonous beams like something out of sci-fi. He meets his demise when demigod (& grandson) Lúgh severs his head; Lúgh then uses it as a weapon by manipulating the eyelid manually #irishwordoftheweek @theirishfor
2
19
66
Roma Downey, the Emmy-nominated actor/producer who's been an IAC friend since the beginning of her career in the States, will be one of the special guests making an appearance at our #SpiritofIrelandGala on Dec 10. Tickets available at all levels ✨
3
10
65
It's ✨ opening night ✨ of #GoodVibrations!. Tonight, this exuberant ensemble will tell the story of #TerriHooley—& the young people who joined him in creating a new community that brought their city back to life—to a sold-out house. On through July 16 >
3
13
62
Gorgeous start to #PoetryFest 2022 last night, with festival poets and guests bringing their favorite Irish poems—and the captivating, intimate stories behind them—to the stage. Events continue today with free readings and conversations from 2pm on >
1
7
58
The common Irish word for wolf is faol, but the term Mac Tíre ("son of the countryside") is also used. This deference—like referring to fairy folk as na Daoine Maithe ("the good people")—shows respect, but also a fear of provoking their force #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
1
15
58
Resharing our first #IrishWordoftheWeek. Pronounced dee-nah, it's Irish for people—any & all people—and Navajo for the Navajo people specifically. While unlikely the word transferred between communities, it's nice to know ideas can rhyme, even when many miles and histories apart.
Inspired by this era of connectivity, an #IrishWordoftheWeek with parallels to a similar word in another language, courtesy of @theirishfor. Not saying this proves the words share an etymological root—just that they bumped into each other & smiled. More at
1
24
60
A great honor and joy to welcome @PresidentIRL Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins with a distinguished delegation to the site of the new @IrishArtsCenter
0
11
57
In Ireland the swallow—fáinleog, "little wanderer"—is seen as a lucky, noble and even sacred bird. Folklore reflects this: one myth tells how its forked tail came from a narrow escape from a snake in the days before St Patrick—the serpent only got the middle feather. @theirishfor
1
17
59
One in a million. Rest well, Shane MacGowan. Our deepest condolences to all his family and loved ones.
0
9
50
After a long journey, tonight's the official opening night in our new home. We hope you'll join us this holiday season for performance and celebration—Camille O'Sullivan's Where Are We Now?, our first show, runs through NYE ✨
8
6
55
Poetry Ireland, Irish Arts Center, and @IrelandEmbUSA invite you to a transatlantic tribute to the great poet Eavan Boland, joined by some of Ireland and America’s finest writers, political leaders, diplomats, activists and academics. This Wed, 1pm EST >
0
31
57
Some of tonight’s silent auction prizes: guitar signed by Ed Sheeran, dinner with @johnnymcdaid and Courteney Cox, and tickets to #TheFerryman. #SpiritofIrelandGala
0
15
60
Genome sequencing on Irish Bronze Age burial site remains has helped back the theory that ancient Ireland saw significant migration from the Middle East. Could this have led to a transfer of words and ideas that have survived millennia? #IrishWordoftheWeek
4
7
59
It’s likely both words came from "boeuf" (French for beef or ox) at different times: 12th century into Irish via the Normans + into Vietnamese during the “Indochine Française” colonial era of the 19th/early 20th centuries. #IrishWordoftheWeek> @theirishfor
5
12
56
Our Spring 2019 season: @DavidKeenanmuso @musicbyloah @cmacconiomaire @utsavlal92 @LambeLisa @iarlavox @SteveKornacki @rachaelsage @wordsofhelen @MMcCormackArt @innikmusic @declanorourke @CTobinSinger @horslipsmusic & much more. On sale to members TODAY:
4
14
58
The idea of supernatural women rewarding warrior men after death, as found in legends like the valkyries of Norse saga, is terribly attractive to propagandists. However, other myths may suggest that this was not the original intent of the allegory #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
1
9
49
Years later, when traveling to Ireland as a merchant, Olaf saves his fellow sailors from hostile locals by speaking to them in Irish. When brought to meet the high king, he's recognized by his ring—a gift from his mother—as the king's grandson @theirishfor
1
4
58
The Irish name for chess, ficheall ("wood wisdom" in Old Irish), is taken from an earlier, somewhat similar game that appears often in Celtic mythology: invented by the god Lú, played by Cuchulainn, and a major plot point in the wooing of Etaine #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
2
15
50
In Irish, the triple vowel combination “aoi” sounds like “ee” (or "wee," when it follows a consonant). Aoife, which means "beauty" and has been one of the most popular Irish names for girls for the past few decades, is pronounced "EE-fa" > @theirishfor
3
15
56
The fastest-rising girl’s name of the past decade in Ireland is one that was almost unknown before this century: Fiadh. Pronounced fee-a, the “dh” is silent, as an “h” next to a consonant in Irish usually = the preceding consonant's been softened #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
2
10
52
From our friends @TourismIreland: Ireland will be rolling out the green carpet to welcome you home when the time is right 💚
0
17
49
Violinist/multi-instrumentalist and composer @cmacconiomaire performs this Sunday, 5pm EST (10pm IST). Streaming live > #AtHomeWithIrishArtsCenter
2
24
51
New York has the haircuts, .London has the trousers, .but Belfast has the reason! . Three cheers for the gorgeous cast and creative team behind #GoodVibrations, heading into their first weekend of previews 👏👏👏
1
8
52
Huge congratulations to the entire cast and crew of #GoodVibrations on an electrifying U.S. premiere last night ⚡️
1
8
49
The Irish for the willow tree—sail—is close to the Latin—salix. That's why it's sometimes called a sally. The Yeats poem “Down By the Sally Gardens” tells of young lovers meeting among the willows, the girl cautioning the boy “to take love (and life) easy,” knowing he would not.
2
13
49
Many Irish schoolchildren are taught that the púca is of the same species as the common ghost, but its true identity—shape-shifting goblins or demons who take the form of horses, dogs, hares & other animals—is far more interesting #IrishWordoftheWeek @fadilah_salawu @theirishfor
3
24
50
IAC's director of programming and education @Rachaelwgilkey and executive director @ajconnolly finally had the joy of a visit and tour with @ciangobrien of @projectarts, Dublin, a great friend and colleague to us as we built the new IAC.
0
4
46
Are Irish names hard to pronounce? Only if you don’t know how! #IrishWordoftheWeek is switching over to Irish names for the next 12 in the series, w/ curator Darach of @theirishfor using them to explain certain tenets of spelling & pronunciation as Gaeilge
3
15
50
In 1970s Belfast, a man named Terri Hooley opened an unassuming record shop & label that went on to become the locus of Northern Ireland's punk scene. We're celebrating #recordstoreday w/ a playlist about #GoodVibrations & the punk era by @rockyoriordan >
2
7
45
The Irish for daisy is nóinín (say: "no-neen"), whose tendency to pop up overnight is well noted in folklore. Many a tale tells of thieves burying loot under a single daisy for safekeeping, only to return next day to find the entire field abloom. #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
1
12
45
“If you try to leave this event early—I will find you.” Stephen Colbert @StephenAtHome accepts his #SpiritofIreland award from Liam Neeson and Loretta Brennan Glucksman. #Taken
1
5
48
“Ireland has more spirit per capita than anywhere else in the world” @johnnymcdaid #SpiritofIrelandGala
2
9
46
“When politics and ideology fail us, art brings us hope. It’s the artists who lead.” IAC honorary co-chair Gabriel Byrne, joined by fellow honory chair and #SpiritofIrelandGala co-host Liam Neeson #Groundbreaking
0
17
46
Draíocht means "magic," like the powers possessed by the Tuatha Dé Danann, ancient Ireland's mythical race of druids who used their draíochtúil (magical) talents to overthrow those who came before them. #IrishWordoftheWeek @olamajekodunmi1 @theirishfor
1
8
44
An extraordinary event for extraordinary times: our #SpiritofIrelandGala is virtual this year, and open to all. Featuring Sting, @ElvisCostello, @musicbyloah, @camilleos, @declanorourke, @JoanieMadden & Cherish the Ladies, and many more. Join us on Dec 10:
1
17
47
"This is a story about ordinary people who tried to live a different way, and tried to help others live a different way.”—Colin Carberry, writer of the punk rock musical #GoodVibrations, in the New York Times today. Tickets >
1
14
45
Delighted to welcome @DanMulhall for a tour of our new home. Thanks to @dfatirl @IrelandEmbUSA @IrelandinNY for your incredible support to make it a reality!.
Many thanks to Vice Chair, Pauline Turley, for showing me around the #NY @IrishArtsCenter which will be a huge asset to the Irish community & to all New Yorkers when it opens its doors later this year. Well done to the Center’s staff & donors for bringing the project to fruition
1
5
45
Some confusion w/ Irish name pronunciation occurs when one grows so common people begin to drop the fadas that might otherwise direct the pronouncer. This is true of Éamonn, whose “e” has an accent, meaning it should sound like “ay” in English @theirishfor
1
17
39
#Agreement closes this afternoon after five weeks of critically-acclaimed performances by this brilliant cast, crew, and creative team. Bravo to all 👏👏👏.
2
7
48
Edna O'Brien accepts the @PENamerican Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature, presented by Colum McCann: 'Language lives longer than people so its permanence is vital. It brings us from one generation to the next.' #PENawards
3
24
43
Thank you to Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar for visiting the new Irish Arts Center. Today marked the Irish Prime Minister's first visit since 2018, when he attended the site dedication of our new facility on 11th avenue.
1
2
43
“People come to Anne's books, and then they become ensconced in that world, and then they belong to it in extraordinary ways”—Colum McCann on Anne Enright during his intro at The Wren, the Wren book party in the Devlin Café at Irish Arts Center.
0
9
42
Today's #groundbreaking "ensures Ireland’s place at the heart of the vibrant cultural life of New York City”--@simoncoveney TD, Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
0
17
40
IAC hon chair Gabriel Byrne, @NYCCouncil Speaker Corey Johnson, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Manhattan Boro Pres Gale Brewer, Consul General Ciarán Madden & other city/state dignitaries will join IAC board, staff & supporters as we break ground today on the New IAC #Groundbreaking
2
12
39
A theory about how the Irish slang word "gas" caught on—that's gas, he's a gas man—stems from gas entering English thru Dutch as a local pronunciation of "khaos"—the Greek for chaos. A gas man may be chaotic, but is he cunning? If so, he's slim in both Irish & Dutch @theirishfor
0
12
40
While in NYC, the #GoodVibrations cast have gigged at the Dead Rabbit, seen Prima Facie on Broadway, and of course, have squeezed in time for Target runs between standing ovations. None of these adventures would have been possible without @IrelandinNY. Thank you for your support!
0
11
41
Mike McCormack on @TrampPress's decision to publish #solarbones: "Everything others had pissed and moaned about, they found praiseworthy. It was their thesis that the publishing industry underestimates the reading public." #betweenthelines
0
17
38
Last night's grand finale of the #MuldoonsPicnic 10th anniversary festivities brought together literary and musical greats @bcollinspoetry, @minjinlee11, @cmacconiomaire, @PaulSimonMusic, and Paul Muldoon & Rogue Oliphant. 📷 @PlowedField
1
4
41
Paul Muldoon, Kevin Young, Tina Chang, Deborah Landau, Jane Clarke, Michael Dickman, Cathy Linh Che, Martina Evans, Stephen Sexton, Julie Morrissy & a tribute to Seamus Heaney—PoetryFest is Nov 1-3. Curated by @NickLaird. Most events free @seamusheaneyest
1
14
39
"Defiantly joyous. this musical is a tonic." #GoodVibrations is a New York Times Critic's Pick! @LyricBelfast
1
11
39
Proud to honor the achievements of Fionnula Flanagan and Aisling O'Sullivan today at our 2019 Claddagh Circle Luncheon, with thanks to Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Ambassador Anne Anderson, Consul General Ciarán Madden, and all who joined the celebration.
1
9
39
Rehearsing for tonight >>> @LambeLisa, @fobraonain, Liam, & Peter all sounding gorgeous -- cannot wait!
3
5
38
Wander through IAC & discover larger-than-life works by @colin_davidson before Selected Paintings & Drawings leaves Hells Kitchen next month. Visit the collection Mon to Wed from 6–8pm, Saturdays from 1–5pm, and Dec 17 from 2–5pm. Reserve >
0
6
40
The U.S. premiere of @LyricBelfast's #GoodVibrations comes to a close today. Thank you to everyone who came out and rocked out night after night, and thank you to the brilliant cast and crew who brought this inspiring story to life for New Yorkers 🫶 🤘 #OneLove
0
6
40
Starting Sep. 16, @colin_davidson's Silent Testimony—his portraits focusing on 18 people who're connected by loss brought on by the Troubles—will be exhibited in our theatre & Selected Paintings and Drawings will be displayed through our halls. Reserve >
0
12
36
🎨 by Cork-based illustrator and sometimes-animator @amylouioc, artist for the next set of words in this series. Her work spans everything from mythology/fantasy to everyday life, and she injects her love of color wherever possible. Find more on Insta & at
0
4
38
1/ The proverb “An té nach bhfuil láidir ní folair dó a bheith glic” (“the one who is not strong is required to be shrewd”) is well exemplified by the role of the wren—dreoilín—in Irish folklore, w the best-known tale telling of how all the birds #IrishWordoftheWeek @theirishfor
2
17
35
ANNOUNCING our fall 2020 season. The theme is grásta—or grace—anchored by 26 commissioned artists responding to the idea of finding grace in uncertainty, as part of a full calendar of digital programs. Explore, and expect more to come in the weeks ahead >
0
15
39
Announcing our fall 2023 visual arts exhibition! Curated by @Kim_Mawhinney, our second building-wide solo show including an installation in our theater feat. two collections by Northern Irish visual artist Colin Davidson & opens September 16. More info >
0
9
41